Short-term (2 to 4 weeks) "heritage protection" projects in Serbia

Did you hear about Ruski Krstur, one small village in Vojvodina? Ok… Now we will tell you a couple of words… Let’s see...our village, about 5000 citizens, is located 70 km northwest from Novi Sad the capital city of province of Vojvodina. It is inhabited by the Ruthenian national minority. Once you meet them, you simple can’t take them out of your heart. You ask why? The answer is simple - they are friendly people, with their own customs and their own language, which makes them very interesting, but they are still a little bit closed to the outside. International volunteer workcamps in Ruski Krstur have been organised by a youth organization called Pact Ruthenorum for the past two years. In this third year, the accent will be more on art than on work.

The first work theme will happen during the first week and it will be mainly based on crafting a scene for a traditional open-air festival “Vodova Fest” (www.vodovafest.org). The second week will have a different theme and a different location. On a wall around Ruskokeresturian trade center, volunteers will paint the most important moments from the history of Ruski Krstur – first families settling, building of a church, first school, all the way till the present day!
Volunteers will work 5 hours a day.

Creative workshops (home cooking, folklore, village touring by bicycles or on carriages). On a weekend there will be a short excursion to Novi Sad and of course to the Vodova Fest.

In the local school's dormitory, with bathrooms. Sleeping bags are not necessary. Food will be prepared by locals and camp volunteers.

Not accessible for wheelchairs.

Serbia once was a part of the great Roman Empire. Some of the emperors were born in Eastern Serbia where important archaeological sites still exist, such as Viminacium, Felix Romuliana, Timacum Minus. Knjazevac is a region of indescribable beauty, a mixture of ethno motives and tradition with these late Roman archaeological sites and monuments. The Regional Museum in Knjazevac is in charge of preserving Timacum Minus and as the host of this workcamp plans to involve the cultural diversity of a workcamp in its promotion.

Volunteers will work close to this late–antique Timacum Minus site, clearing the vegetation. They will work on the promotion of the site as well, by taking photos or drawing. Their work will be presented at the final exhibition and included in the site brochure later on.

In a renovated school for students of archaeology.

At the village Ravna, 8 km from Knjazevac in Eastern Serbia, 280 km from Belgrade.

Belgrade.

Volunteers with special interest in archaeology and with artistic skills (photography, drawing) are welcome.

15 €, to be paid upon arrival.